You may have heard at this morning’s CicLAvia press conference that the City of Los Angeles will soon be launching its very own bike share system. Details are still being worked out but we can confirm that Bike Nation USA – a local Southern California based firm – will launch and operate the system in collaboration with the city. The entire system will be privately launched and operated, and will not require any public funding. L.A.’s Bike Nation bike share system will be comprised of 400 kiosks, 6,500 docking stations, and 4,000 bicycles.

Bike Nation

At the Metro bike share demonstration event earlier this year, we got the opportunity to see and ride bicycles form a variety of bike share vendors. Bike Nation was on hand to show show off their 3-speed bikes sporting a chainless drive, internal hub gears and a coaster brake. Company representatives advertised the chainless drive as an appealing feature to government agencies for their low-maintenance and cleanliness. Their bikes also had airless tires, which should alleviate the hassle and anxiety of potential flats. The Bike Nation demonstration bicycles also came equipped with a large utilitarian front basket that can help with transporting goods.

Bike Nation kiosk courtesy Bike Nation

Implementation

Bike Nation anticipates the pilot program to start in the fourth quarter of 2012 at select locations throughout the city. Stay tuned to the LADOT Bike Blog for more information on L.A.’s bikeshare system as it becomes available.